For more than three decades, the ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL has been a haven for serious cinemaphiles yearning for more offerings than the mainstream megaplexes and rental services can offer. This year’s 32nd annual event continues that proud tradition, starting with the IMAGE Film Awards Gala on April 8 at the Fox Theatre, honoring Tyler Perry Studios, Virginia Hepner, Matthew H. Bernstein, and directors Peter Gilbert and Steve James.

Then April 10-12, it’s more than 150 shorts, narratives and documentaries, including “The Lena Baker Story,” the true story of the first and only woman sentenced to die in the electric chair in Georgia. That opening night world premiere takes place at Regal Atlantic Station Stadium 16; the rest of the weekend unspools at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. For more information, check out www.atlantafilmfestival.com.

He’s the American Gangster who turned a “Hard-Knock Life” into an empire; she’s the queen of inner turmoil on R&B/hip-hop albums like last year’s “Growing Pains” and the 2001 classic “No More Drama.”

MARY J. BLIGE & JAY-Z: HEART OF THE CITY brings the two superstars, with more than 70 million record sales between them, to Philips Arena on Tuesday, April 8. Hey, it’s gotta be a better pairing than Jay-Z’s outing with R. Kelly awhile back. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $49.75, $89.75, $150.75 and $300. 404-249-6400. www.philipsarena.com.

Think the Panama Canal doesn’t have much to do with the U.S.? ADAM CLYMER, author of “Drawing the Line at the Big Ditch: The Panama Canal Treaties and the Rise of the Right,” says President Jimmy Carter’s decision to give the Panamanians control of the canal helped Ronald Reagan win in 1980. Clymer discusses his work at 7 p.m. Monday, April 7 at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater. Admission is free. 404-865-7100. www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov. 

SEE THE STARS: Rub elbows with luminaries including Tony Shalhoub, Brooke Adams, Monica Pearson, Mayor Shirley Franklin and more at ATLEXIS 2008, a gala fundraiser for Theatrical Outfit featuring readings and music by some of Atlanta’s favorite folks. Bid on a visit to the “Monk” set, complete with a guided tour by Shalhoub. The evening begins with a 6 p.m. reception at the Rialto Center for the Arts, followed by the main event at 7:30 p.m. at the Balzer Theatre at Herren’s. Tickets are $110 and must be purchased in advance. Contact Samantha Benitez at 678-528-1511. www.theatricaloutfit.org.

HAVE A LAUGH: “Blue Collar” comedian RON WHITE, known for smoking and drinking onstage, returns to Atlanta for three shows at the Fox Theatre—7 p.m. and 10 p.m. tonight and 7 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets are $44.75. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org.

ENJOY A GREAT SHOW: Think a show that’s been performed since 1885 can’t be entertaining? GILBERT AND SULLIVAN’S THE MIKADO is just as beloved today as it was way back then, as the Carl Rosa Company (Britain’s oldest opera group) proves during tonight’s production, which pays tribute to the original show. It starts at 8 p.m. at the Ferst Center for the Arts. Tickets are $35 and $45. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu.

Remember when it was no big deal to catch Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, maybe playing with Soul Miner’s Daughter or Billy Pilgrim at intimate local venues? Man, how times have changed. Nowadays you’ve got to shell out big bucks to see SUGARLAND on some big-ticket tour, and probably get stuck in some arena’s nosebleed section. Not this week: For two nights only—tonight, Thursday, April 3 and tomorrow, Friday, April 4—the hit country music duo kicks off its latest tour in the comfy environs of the Fox Theatre. Tickets are $35-$45. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org.

You probably won’t see Elton John in the crowd, but you can thrill to some of his classic songs (penned with Tim Rice) during THE LION KING, which returns to the stage with a month-long engagement at the Atlanta Civic Center starting tonight. Catch Simba, Scar and the gang, marvel at the impressive choreography and sing along to “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” Ticket prices range from $22.50 to $125. 404-817-8700. www.atlantaciviccenter.com.

We know you don’t spend a lot of time reading poems, but A FINE EXCESS: A THREE DAY CELEBRATION OF POETRY just might change your mind. The event includes readings by Richard Wilbur, Mark Strand and W.D. Snodgrass and 10 other poets. Today through Friday at Emory University.Admission is free. 
Visit marbl.library.emory.edu for more information.

Although it feels a bit ham-handed by modern standards, the classic road movie EASY RIDER still retains a powerful charge. Before its 9:30 p.m. screening tonight at Midtown’s Plaza Theatre, check out an exhibit of Americana photographs, including carnivals, abandoned roadside attractions and dirty motels, by JD the Drifter. Admission is $7. 404-822-8538. www.plazaatlanta.com.

Fresh off her turn in the highly touted ABC TV-movie “Raisin in the Sun,” four-time Tony Award-winner AUDRA MCDONALD takes the stage tonight. The singer and actress (“Private Practice”) is a dynamic performer, drawing from show tunes, standards and composers like Randy Newman, Neil Young and even John Mayer. 5 p.m. tonight at the Ferst Center for the Arts. Tickets are $40 and $50. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu.

Jazz guitarist Earl Klugh, author Melissa Faye Green and CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta are the featured guests at the Horizon Theatre’s 10th annual ATLANTA STORIES. Each year, playwrights work with the celebrity guests to write their own one-act plays, which are then performed by professional actors at tonight’s gala fundraiser. Tickets are $150 each, $1,500 for a table or $2,500 for a corporate sponsorship table. 404-584-7450. www.horizontheatre.com.